Compare and contrast descriptives studies with formal experiments.

Descriptive studies (and case studies and case reports)
are a major form of study in the social and psychology sciences.  Formal experiments are
another form of scientific study, and the nature of the study types are given in this
brief description.

One chooses the study form based on
conditions to be considered/measured, type of research question, control or lack thereof
that the investigator has over actual behavioral events, and whether dealing with
contemporary or historical events/phenomena.

In a
descriptive or case study one answers a “how” or “why” question, has little or no
control over events, and focuses on contemporary, real-life
situations.

The researcher begins with an idea and a
thorough literature review.  She then carefully formulates question(s) and determines
the method for collecting data (observations).  The project is designed to protect the
integrity of the data by maintaining a chain of evidence, and including consideration
and testing of rival explanations of findings.  The scientist must be aware of and state
the strengths and limitations of the research.

An example
of a descriptive or case study is entitled “Facilitating Online Learning:  A descriptive
study.”  It is a four-phase study of the influence of a facilitator and other factors on
online learning.

Experiments are a more formal type of
research.  Indeed, descriptive studies often provide a background for formal
experiments.  Descriptive studies share in common with experiments the application of
methods to record and observe data, and to interpret the information.  However, compared
to descriptive studies, experiments involve a more rigorous form of scientific
investigation called “the scientific method”.

The
scientific method is a means of gathering empirical and measurable evidence, systematic
observation, measurement and experimentation, and formulation, testing and confirming or
modifying a hypothesis.

In a formal experiment the
scientist observes phenomena, perhaps performing an initial descriptive study, makes a
hypothesis and then tests the hypothesis by an experiment consisting of a carefully
controlled method, collection and interpretation of data.  Important concepts adhered to
include the following:

Objectivity (absence of
bias)

Reproducibility (results can be confirmed by other
scientists)

Sharing (publication) of data and
results

Allow others to test reliability of
conclusions

An example of a formal experiment would be
testing the hypothesis that eating breakfast improves student performance on a
mathematics test (see reference 3 for details of such an
experiment).

The references are as
follows:

1.  A textbook on descriptive
studies.

2.  Definition and description of the “scientific
method”.

3.  Specific and detailed information on
psychology experiments and research methods.